Short circuits can spark fires and too many extension cords for multiple appliances can cause a power overload, warns Dr. Asanka Rodrigo, Senior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, University of Moratuwa. He says the wiring in old buildings should be replaced when necessary and the whole wiring system tested. From 1956 to 1991, I worked on [...]

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The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka

Stitch in time for wired buildings

By D. A. E. Dasanayake , Kalawana
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Short circuits can spark fires and too many extension cords for multiple appliances can cause a power overload, warns Dr. Asanka Rodrigo, Senior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, University of Moratuwa. He says the wiring in old buildings should be replaced when necessary and the whole wiring system tested.

From 1956 to 1991, I worked on local government electricity schemes, and I wish to point out a few things.

The wiring of a building was never passed without performing a proper safety and fitness test.

We followed the regulations of the Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEE). I remember purchasing a copy of the IEE regulations from the then Department of Government Electrical Undertakings (DGEU) in 1955.

I am sorry to say the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) provides power supply to newly wired buildings without even performing the required test, or checking the wire colour coding.

I sincerely hope the Director General of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka will instruct the CEB chairman to permit electricity connections to newly wired buildings only after testing the wiring installation. A stitch in time saves nine.




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